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Education

Senedd approves Wales’ National Curriculum

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MEMBERS of the Senedd voted to pass the National Curriculum Bill’s final text, meaning the Curriculum for Wales will now be introduced in 2022. Throughout the debate on its final stage, which took place on Tuesday (March 9), opposition members praised Wales’ Education Minister, Kirsty Williams. Members from all sides saluted her patience and diligence in guiding a significant piece of legislation onto the statute book. Even members who disagreed with the Bill’s content and opposed its passage highlighted the Minister’s personal contribution and commitment to creating Wales’ first national Curriculum. A NATIONAL MISSION The Bill was the subject of intensive scrutiny and broad consultation. Speaking in the Senedd, Mrs Williams said the Bill’s passage was ’a national mission’. “It would have been simpler to cook up plans in Cathays Park in a back office and issue a ‘take it or leave it’ offer,” the Education Minister said. She continued: “But our combined efforts with teachers, academics, parents, and many organisations here and abroad is worth so much more because of that ‘national mission’ spirit.” Kirsty Williams paid a personal tribute to Labour MS Lynn Neagle, Chair of the Children’s and Young Persons’ Committee. Under Lynn Neagle’s leadership, the Committee rigorously scrutinised the Bill and made a series of recommendations in its text. Of the Labour backbencher, Kirsty Williams said: “I conclude by thanking Lynne Neagle for her tough, astute, tenacious, sometimes bloody-mindedness in her approach to this legislation. I mean that as a compliment, Lynne. “As I said earlier, the results of the committee’s work have made this a better Bill.” She had similarly warm words for her Conservative opposite number, Suzy Davies. Mrs Williams acknowledged: “She has worked incredibly hard on this Bill, and I know that she’s been fully committed to the scrutiny process. As I said in opening my comments today, I think we have a better Bill due to the CYPE committee’s efforts. I have gone to great lengths to try and respond positively to the cross-party report that the Committee published to try and meet those aspirations.” Like Mrs Williams, Suzy Davies steps down as an MS in May. She was unable to attend the debate. CURRICULUM CONTROVERSY Despite the Minister’s warm words, the new Curriculum’s journey to the statute book has not been without controversy. Activists railed against the Curriculum’s Religion Values and Ethics element and its focus on Welsh language teaching’s importance to all of Wales’ pupils. The inclusion of Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) in the Curriculum provoked vituperative responses from a small group of parents. They opposed children receiving what they’ve claimed will be inappropriately explicit sexual education. Senior Policy Researcher for NSPCC Cymru/Wales, Dr Sarah Witcombe-Hayes says: “The strength of support for mandatory relationships and sexuality education to be included in the new Curriculum for Wales by leading child protection experts and charities highlights what a game-changer this is. “The changes are long overdue, but in passing this Bill Senedd members are helping to protect children and young people from abuse – making sure every child and young person in Wales can access high quality RSE that is relevant, sensitive and appropriate to their own capacities and needs. “It will help all learners understand their rights to safe, healthy and fulfilling relationships throughout their lives, and schools must now be supported and fully resourced to deliver inclusive and high quality RSE from September 2022.” Regarding Welsh Language teaching and RSE, those with genuine concerns had those worries preyed upon to grandstanding political effect by fringe political movements, such as Ukip and Abolish the Assembly (sic.) Speaking for the latter group, Gareth Bennett said: “The downgrading of English teaching in the interest of immersion in Welsh is a sinister development. It will surely disadvantage Welsh schoolchildren who are not from a background of speaking Welsh at home.” Dr Felix Aubel, a noted controversialist, said: “UKIP would divert millions of pounds by abolishing the legal requirement to forcibly impose the Welsh language on people.” Like Abolish, UKIP will campaign on a platform of abolishing Welsh parliamentary democracy. Those organisations’ concerns on Welsh language education ignore the fact Welsh is the national language of Wales. Every credible educational study underlines how children benefit from bilingual education. HISTORY TEACHING CONCERNS PLAID On Tuesday, further and concerted criticism of the new Curriculum came from Plaid Cymru. Perturbed by the absence of Welsh history’s teaching, Plaid’s Sian Gwenllian announced the party would vote against the Bill in its final stage. Plaid’s Shadow Education Minister said that, although her party supported the Bill’s direction of travel: “Plaid Cymru argued for the inclusion of two other mandatory elements that could also contribute towards creating that social, far-reaching transformation that we want to see, namely the history of Wales in all of its diversity, including black and people of colour history, and environmental education, including climate change.

Education

£20m boost for additional learning needs facilities

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THE WELSH GOVERNMENT is investing £20 million to upgrade facilities for children and young people with Additional Learning Needs (ALN). The funding will provide new and improved classrooms, equipment, and inclusive learning environments in schools and further education settings across Wales.

The investment will be distributed to local authorities to support mainstream educational settings. Schools and colleges will use the funding to create quiet and sensory areas, improve accessibility, and purchase essential equipment to enhance learning opportunities for ALN students.

Education Secretary Lynne Neagle visited Ysgol Craig y Don in Llandudno on Friday (Mar 14) to see the impact of a £50,000 grant from the Welsh Government. The funding has been used to enhance opportunities for pupils at the school.

First Minister Eluned Morgan said: “Providing opportunity to every family is crucial to this Welsh Labour Government’s plan for Wales, and I know it’s a priority for the people of Wales too. I’ve listened, and now we’re delivering.”

Education Secretary Lynne Neagle MS added: “Under this Welsh Labour Government, we don’t want a single learner left behind. That’s why we are putting millions into supporting learners with ALN.

“I was proud to visit Llandudno to see how this funding is making a real difference in schools.”

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Education

Carmarthen school gets financial boost for specialist unit

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THE BUILDERS behind the Parc y Fron development in Carmarthen has lent a helping hand to a school in the town to improve facilities for its pupils with additional learning needs.

Persimmon Homes West Wales has donated £3,000 to Queen Elizabeth High School after its successful application to the developer’s Community Champions scheme.

The funds will go towards the school’s specialist unit, Canolfan Elfed, so they can upgrade their outdoor sensory learning area for its 93 pupils to use.

The project has been guided by the pupils, who actively engaged in the design process and collaborated with playground design experts to create their vision.

The school’s fundraising efforts to date – including events, sponsorships, and partnerships with Rotary Clubs – have raised approximately £20,000 already. Money has also been raised through staff running the London Marathan and participating in the local raft race.

Persimmon Homes West Wales currently has two, three, and four-bed homes for sale at Parc y Fron in Carmarthen, available from £190,000. 250 homes will be built as part of the scheme in the west of the town with over £2.3m going towards local infrastructure as a result.

The five-star housebuilder donates £48,000 to good causes and much-valued organisations across Wales every year as part of its Community Champions scheme, with Wales Air Ambulance, Carmarthen & Cross Hands Autistic Mams Association, Carmarthen Family Centres, and Scarlets Women’s Rugby included amongst recent local recipients.

Sharon Bouhali – Persimmon Homes West Wales Sales Director – said: “When we heard about Canolfan Elfed, we at Persimmon just knew that we had to get involved and help Queen Elizabeth High School with this excellent project.

“We’re delighted that our donation will help build a space that will enrich current therapies and interventions, providing pupils with meaningful, hands-on learning opportunities and fostering their development into confident, lifelong learners, and valued community members.

“Persimmon looks forward to seeing the completed vision at Canolfan Elfed soon.”

Nigel Cooke – School Business Manager for Queen Elizabeth High School – added: “The previous outdoor space was unsafe and unsuitable, and we want to replace it with a versatile, inclusive, and student-designed space that meets the unique needs of our pupils.

“That’s why we are grateful to Persimmon for their generous donation, especially considering it has triggered match-funding arrangements we have with other organisations.

“This will allow us to provide pupils with the facilities they need and deserve at the school and we can’t wait to take this project through to completion.”

Cllr Emlyn Schiavone – Mayor of Carmarthen and local county councillor – commented: “Canolfan Elfed does fantastic work with children from Carmarthen and the surrounding areas, as well as occasionally pupils from neighbouring counties. It is really encouraging to hear about their ambitions to improve facilities for children and young persons with additional and complex learning needs.

“I am really grateful to Persimmon for their valuable donation and willingness to support important initiatives like this in Carmarthen. I know the school will welcome any help other organisations may be able to contribute as well.”

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Education

Former Ysgol y Preseli headmaster passes following battle with cancer

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THE FORMER headmaster of Ysgol y Preseli, Martin Lloyd, has passed away following a battle with cancer.

Mr. Lloyd dedicated nearly 50 years to the school in Crymych, shaping the lives of countless students and playing a pivotal role in the development of Welsh-medium education in Pembrokeshire.

He joined Ysgol y Preseli in 1974, starting as an Economics teacher before being promoted to deputy headmaster. In 1991 he became headmaster, a position he held with distinction until his retirement in 2009.

Throughout his tenure, Mr. Lloyd was a strong advocate for bilingual education and was instrumental in strengthening the school’s reputation for academic excellence. Under his leadership, Ysgol y Preseli became a centre of learning and cultural preservation, nurturing generations of Welsh-speaking students.

Speaking at the time of his retirement, Mr. Lloyd reflected on his years of service with pride and gratitude, highlighting the collective achievements of staff and students in maintaining the school’s high standards.

His passing has been met with an outpouring of tributes from former colleagues, students, and the wider community, remembering him as a dedicated educator, mentor, and leader whose contributions left an enduring impact on Welsh education.

Mr. Lloyd’s legacy will live on in the generations he taught and in the continued success of Ysgol y Preseli.

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